Retrospective Application of New Pediatric Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Criteria

What is it about?

The CDC introduced a new ventilator-associated pneumonia classification in order to promote standardization. This was modified to pediatrics according to the proposed criteria known as pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia according to proposed criteria (PVAP). This study evaluated the frequency of PVAP in a cohort of critically ill children diagnosed with ventilator-associated pneumonia according to traditional criteria. Then, compared their association with clinically relevant outcomes.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Our findings showed that very few children diagnosed with ventilator-associated pneumonia met the PVAP criteria and PVAP was associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Thus, this work suggests that more studies are needed before new definitions for ventilator-associated pneumonia are introduced for children.